Samsung Galaxy A5 2015 (samsung-a5)
This page is about the dedicated port of this device. There is also an optional generic port available for this device - see Generic MSM8916 (qcom-msm8916). |
![]() Samsung Galaxy A5 | |
Manufacturer | Samsung |
---|---|
Name | Galaxy A5 (2015) |
Codename | samsung-a5 |
Model | SM-A5000 - SM-A500W |
Released | 2014 |
Type | handset |
Hardware | |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) |
CPU | 4x 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | 400 MHz Adreno 306 |
Display | 5 inch 16:9, 720 x 1280 AMOLED |
Storage | 16/32 GB EMMC 4.5 |
Memory | 2 GB 533 MHz LPDDR3 single-channel |
Architecture | aarch64 |
Software | |
Original software The software and version the device was shipped with. |
Android 4.4.4 |
Extended version The most recent supported version from the manufacturer. |
Android 7.0 |
FOSS bootloader | yes |
postmarketOS | |
Category | community |
Pre-built images Whether pre-built images are available from the postmarketOS Installation page. |
no |
Mainline Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline. |
yes |
pmOS kernel The kernel version that runs on the device's port. |
Mainline |
Unixbench score Unixbench Whetstone/Dhrystone score. See Unixbench. |
1028.8 |
Optional Generic Port | Generic MSM8916 (qcom-msm8916) |
Device package |
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Kernel package |
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Firmware package |
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Flashing Whether it is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher . |
Works
|
---|---|
USB Networking After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system). |
Works
|
Internal storage eMMC, SD cards, UFS... |
Works
|
SD card Also includes other external storage cards. |
Works
|
Battery Whether charging and battery level reporting work. |
Works
|
Screen Whether the display works; ideally with sleep mode and brightness control. |
Partial
|
Touchscreen |
Works
|
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Works
|
Audio Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons. |
Works
|
Camera |
Broken
|
Camera Flash |
Broken
|
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Works
|
Bluetooth |
Works
|
GPS |
Works
|
NFC Near Field Communication |
Works
|
Modem | |
Calls |
Works
|
SMS |
Works
|
Mobile data |
Works
|
Miscellaneous | |
FDE Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr. |
Works
|
USB OTG USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching. |
Works
|
Sensors | |
Accelerometer Handles automatic screen rotation in many interfaces. |
Works
|
Magnetometer Sensor to measure the Earth's magnetism |
Works
|
Ambient Light Measures the light level; used for automatic screen dimming in many interfaces. |
Broken
|
Proximity |
Broken
|
Hall Effect Measures magnetic fields; usually used as a flip cover sensor |
Works
|
Haptics |
Works
|
This device is based on the Snapdragon 410. See the SoC page for common tips, guides and troubleshooting steps |
Contributors
- minecrell
- maccraft123 (only wiki page)
Users owning this device
- Alexeymin (Notes: SM-A500F (not FU) replaced battery, almost like new now)
- ArMor (Notes: SM-A500H Dual Sim)
- Baonks81 (Notes: 3G SM-A500H Dual Sim 2GB/16GB)
- Blender Addict (Notes: SM-A500FU, previous daily driver)
- Bolilingmeng89006 (Notes: a5ltezt)
- Citrullin (Notes: (4x SM-A500FU available to borrow in Berlin))
- Danct12 (Notes: SM-A500H Dual Sim - dead)
- Darkness (Notes: SM-A500M)
- Debiansh (Notes: Notes: SM-A500FU Running postmarketOS with Phosh, not working display brightness, Camera and USB-OTG. I made a polish review: https://www.internet-czas-dzialac.pl/recenzja-postmarketos/)
- Exkc (Notes: Dead)
- Ferenc- (Notes: SM-A500FU)
- Grimler
- KenOokamiHoro (Notes: SM-A5000 (China), Boot from SD card not works.)
- Knuxify (Notes: (SM-A500FU))
- LayerDE (Notes: keyboard burned in)
- Lewis Collard (Notes: A5U (EUR))
- Maccraft123
- Madhaxbro (Notes: SM-A500FU, runs lk2nd + pmOS v25.06 + TWRP. Repartitioned for pmOS. Ready for testing. Looks more like a Sony, if you ask me. Well supported.)
- Minecrell (Notes: SM-A500FU, with weird replacement screen :))
- Omame
- Operachi (Notes: PostmarketOS Server)
- Oreeeee (Notes: SM-A500FU, Hard bricked)
- Pojntfx
- Powwu (Notes: Sxmo)
- Rich Morin (Notes: compatibility and deployment testing)
- RoDen (Notes: SM-A500F/DS, Plasma Desktop & Mobile)
- Sado1
- Samcday
- Stupidenbyace (Notes: SM-A500FU, No OS Flashed)
- UltrasonicMadness (Notes: SM-A500FU, daily driver)
- ValPackett (Notes: Headless (no display panel), runs pmOS as a server)
- Wann (Notes: broken touch screen, but working)
- WonderfulShrineMaidenOfParadise
- ZBookCMD (Notes: Reserve phone; for porting)
Model variants
Galaxy A5 2015 (Duos)
- SM-A5000 (China/Hong Kong, 4G?, Dual SIM) - SD issue? Broken #Touch keys.
- SM-A5009 (China, China Telecom, 4G?)
- SM-A500F (Global, 4G)
- SM-A500FD (Global, 4G, Dual SIM)
- SM-A500FQ (Turkey, 4G?)
- SM-A500FU (Europe, 4G) - Working.
- SM-A500G (?, smaller system partition?)
- SM-A500GD (?, Dual SIM)
- SM-A500H (3G variant)
- SM-A500HD (3G variant?, Dual SIM)
- SM-A500HQ (Turkey?, 3G?)
- SM-A500M (Latin America, 4G?)
- SM-A500MD (Latin America, 4G?, Dual SIM)
- SM-A500Y (Australia/New Zealand, 4G?)
- SM-A500YZ (Taiwan, 4G, Dual SIM)
- SM-A500F1 (Korea, ?)
- SM-A500K (Korea, KT Corp., ?)
- SM-A500L (Korea, LG Uplus, ?)
- SM-A500S (Korea, ST Telecom, ?)
- SM-A500W (Canada, ?)
Note: Only 4G variants should have NFC. Please add the info for your variant if you have one. Needs testing. |
Firmware
Architecture
Some variants are released with Kitkat 4.4, which doesn't boot arm64 kernel, so upgrade to Lollipop 5.0 or later first.
Outdated firmware
According to GSMArena, some variants received a build of Android 7.0 Nougat. Needs investigation. Also see #Specifications, #Firmware builds.
Boot modes
Fastboot (lk2nd menu) - hold $ fastboot reboot bootloader
on a connected USB host, or (also lk2nd) - select it on the bootloader menu by pressing or three times, then confirm using
Recovery (using lk2nd) - hold
during boot, or - enter Fastboot mode and select it on the bootloader menu by pressing twice, confirm usingRecovery (using Samsung bootloader) - hold $ adb reboot recovery
on a connected USB host
DFU (Odin/Download) mode - hold $ adb reboot download
on a connected USB host
Hard reset - hold
+Installation
WARNING: Be careful when testing undocumented variants! Remember, we are dealing with Samsung here. |
lk2nd is a secondary bootloader that provides a standard fastboot interface, which can be used to boot postmarketOS without Android boot
flashed or pmbootstrap flasher flash_kernel
.
- Download lk2nd-msm8916.img from Releases page on Github.
- Boot your phone to bootloader (Odin/Download) mode by holding and while powering up.
- Follow lk2nd instructions to install lk2nd. Basically flash it to the boot partition (
heimdall flash --BOOT lk2nd-msm8916.img
) - Follow Qualcomm_Snapdragon_410/412_(MSM8916)#Installation to install postmarketOS.
Note: Enter lk2nd fastboot mode by pressing only | + (without ). Pressing additionally will bring you to the Samsung Download mode.
Desktop environments
GNOME
Currently unusable due to GPU driver/graphics crashes. Includes the mobile version. Should work fine on the edge channel. Has a software #Brightness extension (Soft Brightness Plus) availible through GNOME Extensions.
Phosh
Works. No notable issues. Compositor scaling tool in Mobile Settings is very useful, can also be set using dconf. No #Brightness solution?
Plasma Desktop
Untested? Likely partial. Kirigami Apps may flicker and show a distorted UI! Should work fine on the edge channel. Landscape (horizontal) mode is recommended. Likely to have a software #Brightness solution. Needs testing.
Plasma Mobile
Partial. Plasma works smoothly, but there are some graphical glitches sometimes. Kirigami apps may flicker and show a distorted UI! Should work fine on the edge channel. Includes software #Brightness (overlay dimming effect)!
Works on A5 2015, you should set custom scaling factor to 2. Should be in display settings.
kscreen-doctor output.1.scale.2
should work.
To run this command from ssh session add the following env variables to the above command:
XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/10000 QT_QPA_PLATFORM=wayland kscreen-doctor output.1.scale.2
SXMO
- Sway - Works.
- DWM - Untested? Likely to work.
Has deviceprofile for A5. More should be added.
XFCE
Untested? Likely to work. It runs on almost anything from the last decades. Likely to have a software #Brightness solution. Needs testing.
Audio
Only PulseAudio is working. Automatic device switching is unreliable when using it. See Qualcomm Snapdragon 410/412 (MSM8916)#Audio for instructions. Also see Systemd/audio for more details on PulseAudio.
Note: Playback issues may occur when playing FLAC files at high bitrates. Needs more testing/investigation. |
Audio input devices
- Primary Microphone (Mic1) - Works. (?)
- Secondary Microphone (Mic2) - Works. (?)
- Headset input (AUX) - Works. (?)
Audio output devices
- Earpiece playback - Works.
- Speaker playback - Works.
- Headphones output (AUX) - Works. (?)
Note that the pop up volume bar is always empty in phosh. Could be a UI bug.
WARNING: The speakers are rather loud on 100% volume and may produce distorted sound that may damage your speakers after long use. Please make sure to use reasonable volumes - your ears and your speaker will thank you! |
Bluetooth Audio
Works. Supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP.
Note: Headset microphones may not work below #Bluetooth 5.x. |
DSP
See Qualcomm_Snapdragon_410/412 (MSM8916)#Switching rproc mode for instructions.
Display
Partial. While displaying the UI works fine, adjusting the brightness doesn't work.
Brightness
Currently unsupported. Needs a driver.
WARNING: Beware "burn in" when using an (AM)OLED display on high brightness! Permanent discoloration can occur after consistent long use. Especially on some low quality OLEDs. |
Touch keys
Partial. Should fully work on most variants. See Tm2-touchkey for instructions.
WARNING: Touch keys may not work on Duos variants. Confimed not to be working on SM-A5000. Needs testing. |
Camera
Currently unsupported. You are welcome to try it!
The camera subsystem requires a lot of work. Needs more investigation. |
Flash LED
Currently WIP. It can be controlled with SG Micro SGM3140 charge pump LED driver[1].
Note: Driver seems to be abandoned as of 2025. Needs to be completed. |
Image sensors
Needs more research.
ISP
See Qualcomm Snapdragon 410/412 (MSM8916)#Camera.
Battery
This device uses 2300 mAh Lithium-Ion batteries. Likely, but not confirmed for all variants! This battery is glued to the housing and can be difficult to remove. Caution is recommended. Needs more research.
WARNING: Swollen cells can apply internal pressure and should be removed for safety! The gasses are toxic when punctured. Do not breathe! |
Battery variants
Unknown. Needs more research.
BMS
Unknown. Also, unsure if this is relevant. There could be many that work. Needs more research.
Charger
Works. Suppoorts 5V 1A charging. May not stop charging, unlike Android kernels!
Fuelguage
Works.
Modem
Mobile Data
- 2G (EDGE) Data - Works.
- 3G (HSPA) Data - Works.
- 4G (LTE) Data - Broken.
Partial. You will need to got to Settings > Mobile Data, then select "Network Mode", then select 2G, 3G (Preferred)
for Data.
Note: This could be caused by firmware/drivers/userspace not being configured for the 4G variant. The 4G connection does work on A500FU, but only if you have a SIM with no active data plan inserted. More research is needed, could be fixed if this really is the cause. Also see #Similar devices, serranove has a different 4G issue. |
Wired connectivity
- Micro USB 2.0 - Works. (?)
- Headset (AUX, 3.5 mm) - Works. (?)
Wireless connectivity
Bluetooth
Works. Supports Bluetooth 4.0 with LE. Has no known? issues. Also see #Bluetooth Audio.
FM Radio
Currently unsupported. Needs investigation.
GPS
Works. (?) See Qualcomm Snapdragon 410/412 (MSM8916)#GPS for instructions.
NFC
Unsupported on 3G variants. Untested on most 4G variants? See NFC for instructions.
WiFi
- 2.4 GHz - Works.
- 5 GHz - Works.
- AP (WAP/hotspot) mode - Untested?
Note: AP mode does not work with gnome-settings. Needs testing. |
Senors
Ambient Light/Proximity Sensor
- Light sensor (tmd3782) - Broken.
- Proximity sensor (tmd3782) - Broken.
The driver for tmd3782
ambient light/proximity sensor is not available.
Compass/Magnetometer
- Magnetometer (bmc150_magn) - Works.
See Magnetometer for instructions.
Rotation/Accelerometer
- Accelerometer (bmc150_accel) - Works.
Misc
- Hall effect (GPIO, SmartCover) - Works.
Storage
Internal storage
- EMMC 4.5 - Works.
External storage
- micoSDXC - Works. Broken lk2nd on A5000?
- USB 2.0 - Works. Requires OTG adapter.
Supports microSD Cards and USB 2.0 storage devices.
Partition layout
Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 14.68 GiB, 15758000128 bytes, 30777344 sectors Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes Disklabel type: gpt Device Start End Sectors Name /dev/mmcblk0p1 8192 38911 30720 apnhlos /dev/mmcblk0p2 38912 156543 117632 modem /dev/mmcblk0p3 156544 157567 1024 sbl1 /dev/mmcblk0p4 157568 157631 64 ddr /dev/mmcblk0p5 157632 161727 4096 aboot /dev/mmcblk0p6 161728 162751 1024 rpm /dev/mmcblk0p7 162752 163775 1024 qsee /dev/mmcblk0p8 163776 164799 1024 qhee /dev/mmcblk0p9 164800 170943 6144 fsg /dev/mmcblk0p10 170944 170975 32 sec /dev/mmcblk0p11 170976 192511 21536 pad /dev/mmcblk0p12 192512 212991 20480 param /dev/mmcblk0p13 212992 241663 28672 efs /dev/mmcblk0p14 241664 247807 6144 modemst1 /dev/mmcblk0p15 247808 253951 6144 modemst2 /dev/mmcblk0p16 253952 280575 26624 boot /dev/mmcblk0p17 280576 311295 30720 recovery /dev/mmcblk0p18 311296 337913 26618 fota /dev/mmcblk0p19 337914 352231 14318 backup /dev/mmcblk0p20 352232 358375 6144 fsc /dev/mmcblk0p21 358376 358391 16 ssd /dev/mmcblk0p22 358392 374775 16384 persist /dev/mmcblk0p23 374776 393207 18432 persdata /dev/mmcblk0p24 393208 5275639 4882432 system /dev/mmcblk0p25 5275640 5685239 409600 cache /dev/mmcblk0p26 5685240 30777303 25092064 userdata
CPU
Suspend
Suspend is not yet fully implemented. It's recommended to disable suspend. This should be done automatically for most UIs. See Qualcomm_Snapdragon_410 (MSM8916)#Suspend for instructions.
Clock speeds
Like other MSM8916 devices, the highest CPU clock speed is 998 MHz for now. Setting the governor to performance can improve usability. To make this permanent, add cpufreq.default_governor=performance
to the cmdline in /etc/deviceinfo and regenerate the initramfs.
See #Packages, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410/412 (MSM8916)#Troubleshooting.
Notes
Photos
-
Weston
-
Phosh Apps menu
-
Phosh About
-
Phosh Wi-Fi settings
-
Plasma Mobile Home screen
-
Plasma Mobile top bar
-
Plasma Mobile About
-
Plasma Mobile Lockscreen
-
Unixbench
Useful software
Bootloader builds
- Latest official lk2nd build Required to boot mainline. Can also boot Android.
Recovery builds
- Latest official TWRP build Unsure if all of them are supported. Your call.
Firmware builds
- Latest official firmware builds on SamFW (Ads!) Downloads from official Samsung update servers. Has CloudFlare bot protection. (May not work!)
Firmware tools
- Latest version of samloader Tool for downloading firmware from official Samsung update servers. Written in python. Consider packaging it.
Packages
android-tools Used for Fastboot, ADB, sparse images (simg), and more. From SDK.
heimdall Tool for dealing with Samsung's Odin protocol. Used to install firmware.
postmarketos-base-ui-audio-pulseaudio Recommended way to set up #Audio.
postmarketos-base-ui-audio-pipewire This can cause trouble. Use the former instead!
pulseaudio Required if you want Audio.
pipewire Lists only a dummy output.
cpufrequtils Use this to change the CPU governor manually. See #Clock speeds.
Device support
device-samsung-a5 Deviceinfo.
linux-postmarketos-qcom-msm8916 Mainline kernel fork. DT.
firmware-samsung-a5 Firmware.
Links
Guides
- Samsung Galaxy A5 2015 (samsung-a5)/Custom Partitioning Repartitioning.
- A review from the polish technology channel "Internet. Czas działać!" - PeerTube link, YouTube link
Specifications
- GSMArena (Ads!) No Duos models.
- DeviceSpecifications (Ads!) Only A500F.
- GSMArena (Ads!) Duos models.
- DeviceSpecifications Duos models.
Similar devices
- Samsung Galaxy A3 2015 (samsung-a3) Same SoC. Very similar. Well supported.
- Samsung Galaxy A7 2015 (samsung-a7) Same SoC. Very similar. NOT well supported.
- Samsung Galaxy E5 (samsung-e5) Same SoC. Also similar. Not packaged yet.
- Samsung Galaxy E7 (samsung-e7) Same SoC. Also similar. Well supported.
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Value Edition (samsung-serranove) Same SoC. Smaller housing and display. Well supported.